South Floridians jonesing for a Trader Joe’s fix will no longer have to drive across the state. The niche grocer announced Wednesday that it will open a store in Pinecrest next year.

The California-based company confirmed that it had signed a lease to open an outpost at 9205 S. Dixie Highway. The store is expected to be about 13,500 square feet.

“It’s a great location and a wonderful neigborhood that seemd like a great fit for us,” Trader Joe’s spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said.

She declined to discuss plans for future expansion in South Florida. Local real estate brokers say Trader Joe’s had been actively scouting the market for years, but had been slow to commit to any openings in the tri-county area. The retailer only made its first entry into Florida in February with the opening of a Naples store, followed by a Sarasota location that opened earlier this month.

Trader Joe’s has a cultlike following for its mostly private label products that include a mix of gourmet and organic products, as well as basics like milk and eggs, all at low prices. The retailer is also known both for its off-beat decor with cedar covered walls, Hawaiian decor and local artwork highlighting area landmarks.